What are you all up to
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NTH, thanks for that I'll look it up.
Dry yesterday morning, so managed to get into the garden, for a bit of weeding of the chippings we have going over to the big shed. We got rid of the grass years ago as its in the shade of the big hedge and didn't do well. The chippings though do get lots of annual weeds, I guess they come in on the wind and from the birds who live in the hedges. Easy to pull out as we have a good membrane underneath.
It rained all afternoon, not heavy rain just rain 😞 so I got stuck into sorting out the front bedroom where everything had been dumped from the caravan. We now have lots of donations to charity.
Dry so far this morning but rain again later I think. More weeding this morning, then if it does rain, it will be sorting of the big boxes, full of yet more camping bits and bobs, up in the attic room.
OH has several jobs to do on the MH plus the tow car needs a good clean inside and out. Once the caravan sells then the tow car will go.
Our next door neighbours are heading off to the lakes for a week, camping in a tent. Parents 2 children and a big golden labrador. Hope they get some decent weather.
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We've had some rain, not a lot but enough to dampen the ground. Lovely to have a fresh breeze too. The holidays will start in earnest down here over the next few weeks so a lot of people out and about. It's still very warm.
Tomorrow we'll have our daughters and partners here which will be lovely and we'll have lunch out. Then eldest daughter will be leaving her little chihuahua with us (to join ours) and they fly off for a long awaited holiday. A bit nerve wracking for us as their dog has visited just once before and we hope she settles in well for two weeks. 🐕🦺🦮
Nice to see and hear about the Solway coast Nellie, I know more of the Scottish side than the English but hope to see a bit more if we can make it up that way in August. Plans in the pipeline!
Hope you have a good break TDA. Sounds like you'll be busy planting things before we go. I've got a group of stragglers that need to go in ASAP. June in the SW has felt like August this year.
I expect you'll be glad to offload all your caravan bits and bobs TG!
Have a good weekend one and all. And happy holidays to those who are venturing forth!
PS we spotted a robot mower at Montacute House this week. OH looked up the cost, £4000!!
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Another caravan problem......got up this morning to a wet carpet at the front near the water pump. Investigation showed a leaking shut off valve on the water inlet, an essential part of the filling of the on board tank and the use of the system in general, so a leaking valve means we cannot use any water at all. There is also a 3 way valve in the system.
The leak is under the handle, which is plastic, presumably cracked due to old age. Located a dealer not too far away but they did not have the correct part........the van is too old!
However they did have a fancy Whale valve that could be adapted, so got that and have now hopefully got things watertight again. Probably should get a new 3 way valve as well, just in case.
Had to cancel lunch out with our friends we are here to visit, but will see them for dinner. Will need to monitor the repair to make sure it really is successful.
As a bonus........OH needed a new shower cap so we stopped in at a nearby Home Bargains, and as it is chilly today she put on her hoodie for the first time since leaving home, it has been hanging in the van for weeks. And in the pocket she discovered the remote control fob for my camera which was last seem in Callum's hand 3 weeks ago!
Been looking everywhere for it, he must have put it in the pocket and forgotten about it. At least that will save me having to buy a new one.
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Hope the repair holds up Kj. Bet you were non too happy to find that, this morning. I know I wouldn't have been.
Well, today was the day to take down the awning after it had dried out after the last few days rain - before we go home tomorrow. That plan's up the chute - it's blowing a hoolie here at the moment and if I can believe the forecast it's not going to ease anytime soon. Just don't fancy trying to wind in that roof canopy with this wind blowing and it's better as it is - pegged down and with the substantial storm straps in place.
Already put the contingency plan in place of staying another night or two if necessary although that will mean a trip back home and back on Monday since Ros has a Doctor's appointment. At least, it's not too far and I'm not grumbling about a couple of extra nights in the van
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Hope all is well with the sindout, R&R. Not so bad here at home at the moment. We've only ever needed to wind ours in once, because of the wind.... that was at Littlehampton some years back. I nearly alway use 3 roof rafters, storm straps, and peggypegs quick release plates for the legs...
David
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Been a busy day here today. Was up early and went to collect the caravan from the dealer new tyres have been fitted but the new fan for the Truma system hasn’t arrived yet but we needed the van back as we are off on our summer trip next week means we won’t have any hot water so can’t use the shower but the sites we are going to have facilities so isn’t too much of a problem dealer hopes the part will be in by the time we get back. Van was very dirty after sitting in their yard for the past three weeks so it was cleaned as soon as I got it home and we have spent the day cleaning it out and packing for the off next week. You’d think it was winter here again though it’s very windy and it’s been raining on and off most of the day hoping the weather is ok down south for our trip. Probably more of the same tomorrow just getting ready to go.
Hope everyone else is having a nice weekend
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You have just convinced me that i dont need an outfit like yours and nice as it is, at least with my Kampa 390 worst case scenario we can just let the air out stuff it into the boot of the car and dry it out at home.
Dont know where you are heading Francis, but weather for down south in general is set fair for the next couple of weeks, blustery today but plenty of sunshine and i did manage a dip in the Solent but tide was well out but not great finding sufficient depth to do a bit of exercise.
Spanish daughter has just arrived in Bordeaux on her way home, 12hrs drive from San Miguel, but she reports that weather not been great on way up max 18 degs in some areas, she is heading for the tunnel and will be home tomorrow evening.
Daughter reports that it is very cold in Bordeaux
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We're down near Ludlow Francis, in a cottage, and whilst it did rain on the way down yesterday it hasn't since. As Rufs said it's been blustery but we're hoping for some sunnier and calmer days.
Cottage meets with everyones approval and the owners are really nice, live next door. We are able to wander in their extensive garden and across their land if we want so MiL went for a nosey in the garden this afternoon and found a sheltered spot to sit and read.
We spent the morning looking around Ludlow market and town. Always enjoy Ludlow but there are more empty shops than I've ever seen before.
Hope you OH enjoying the peace and quiet Ttda!
When are you heading down to join him?If you have a problem selling your awning TG then try Robsons of Wolsingham as they buy second hand awnings. They bought one we were selling recently. Very efficient.
Hope those away enjoying their time and fingers crossed for KJ.
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Love the photos Corners.
It's quite prescient as Mrs WN is currently, when the mood takes her and when she has some spare time, doing a small oil painting of those same hills as seen from the path leading to them from behind Troutbeck Caravan Site. We have an old photo from there that took her fancy.
Your photos reminded us of a great days walking on them.
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Ah thank you! It was one of our best ever walks, and I mean of all time. I just regret not having walked many of the far Eastern fells and I'm slowly putting that right.
I hope you post a picture of her painting.
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OH heads off Monday with MH, Pooch and bikes, I am zipping down A1 in Jeep Tuesday afternoon. It’s not far, so providing no holdups shouldn’t take long🤞 Staying a couple of nights, then coming back home Thursday late teatime for me.
Cottage sounds nice. I love the church in Ludlow, some of the best wood carvings in England. Things are bad when places like Ludlow have empty shops, sign of the times I suppose.0 -
WN, thanks for that. We do have a porch awning but it's pretty old, not sure they would want it. We do have a decent suncanopy though. Will give them a call.
Turned out a nice day today, we had 1 shower, just after I'd pegged out the washing, flipping typical.
I have spent all day on my hands and knees gardening. Don't know which hurts more my back, knees or hands. I think I have now broke the back of what needs doing. Skip run tomorrow I've filled all but 1 of the garden sacks. OH will load the trailer tomorrow, think it will be 2 runs to the recycle centre.
OH been busy working on the MH again, had to buy and fit a new tap to the kitchen sink. Also strip out and clean the sensors for the freshwater tank. All now done and tested, tank now has water and purifier in it for 24 hours. Next job on the list is to fit a new aerial, we lost the top part of it last year when away. Managed to get up to the roof and cover it with a black plastic bag and copious amount of black nasty. Obviously did a good job as its still watertight.
Lovely evening, bit breezy but sky is clear.
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Very windy here today with the occasional squally shower and the sea was the roughest we have seen up here. However that didn't put off 3 sail surfers, or whatever their are really called, they were having a whale of a time and a few dips in the sea too! We were able to get in a couple of dry walks along the coastal path and at Silloth again.
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"You have just convinced me that i don't need an outfit like yours and nice as it is, at least with my Kampa 390 worst case scenario we can just let the air out stuff it into the boot of the car and dry it out at home."
Rufs - I've had that thought a few times in the last 24 hrs! It IS a nice awning - but had we brought the lightweight Sunncamp 390 - I could have had that down in minutes, as you say. Although, as DSB does, I also use storm straps, Peggy Pegs, anchor plates etc - but the problem is when all of those are removed to wind the canopy in - and the wind gets under it................... Perhaps I'm anticipating problems that aren't there - but not prepared to risk it.
It's calm here at the moment - but can I really go outside at 5.30 on a Sunday morning to get it down - neighbours - who arrived late yesterday afternoon, probably wouldn't be best pleased
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"It's calm here at the moment - but can I really go outside at 5.30 on a Sunday morning to get it down - neighbours - who arrived late yesterday afternoon, probably wouldn't be best pleased"
No - I couldn't - but thought that 6.15 was more reasonable. Anyway - all done as quiet as a mouse and it's all down and the Omnistor is safely back in its house! Wind starting to pick up a bit - so just in time.
Will pack everything away later at a more reasonable hour.
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Think you're probably right, AD - but that's just me and my background. Always planning for what could go wrong!!
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I'm getting a bit excited - at last our holiday is only one day away. It might be only 6 nights but it's 6 days I don't have to plan and cook meals (when we're away there's no plan) and there'll be nothing to stop me reading all day.
The forecast is looking a bit iffy, but if it was to be warm and sunny we would be busy at home. So, Ive bought a couple of DVD's, downloaded books to my Kindle and downloaded some films to my laptop. And will be packing warm clothes for sitting outside in a howling gale.
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I don't think you can be to careful where these canopies are concerned.
Having witnessed 2 being caught by wind and lifted and flipped over the top of a MH it makes you think twice about gambling leaving it out.
Last year on Normoutier we helped a Frenchman who was trying to get his 4m canopy away in a high wind. He got it in alright but the next day he couldn't get it back out as the canopy had caught on one side in the mechanism. Obviously it didn't wind in straight.
On another occasion on a site near lake Geneva a fash storm caught a couple out who had washing hanging from their canopy. Trying to untie the rope while the canopy was filling up with water we rushed to help. We managed to get it all done by pushing a broom up into the canopy to dispel the water. Trouble was the damage was done as when he tried to wind the canopy in it wouldn't go in fully. We suspect the arms were bent due to the weight of water.
We use a centre bar and lower 1 leg, use storm straps with big anchor pegs but would never leave it out during high wind or a storm, not having seen the damage it can do to both van and canopy.
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A dry day, well at least until now, so we headed out to Westobury water mill and gardens, about a mile further west of Pembridge and what a delight it was.
I'll put a link up for it but some photos attached. All the work and inspiration of one man. It was nice to wander around an original not very manicured type of garden, mainly bog garden but being developed and variety added. The bottle dome was wonderful to see from inside and am kicking myself for not taking a photo of it from there. The water mill/dovecot is a working piece of machinery and the horse sits in a wild flower meadow. There is also a huge man made and fully functional Cuckoo clock but difficult to get a photo due to vegetation. The cafe is pretty good as well.
https://www.westonburymillwatergardens.com
The AA box is found in the pretty black and white village of Eardisland where we stopped en route. The oldest one in England apparently.
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Another wet day here today and cold. Did manage between showers to get the Volvo valeted will wash the outside later on in the week interior all clean now ready for our trip. Won’t be doing much for the rest of the day due to the rain.
Nice pics WN
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The mill gardens look very interesting WN, nice area to visit.
We're just settling in our holiday dog after a nice lunch out with the family.
Very breezy here but dry and warm. We're planning a few visits out over the next two weeks with our furry guest. So probably quite a few gardens and woods.
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Here we are in N. Ireland. OH still coughing but getting better. We have had a few showers with nice sunshine in between. So lovely to be here with the family. Photos are of the view over Strangford Lough from their house.
Lovely photos WN. What an interesting place. Love the AA box as well.
Hope you have a good week with your visiting dog brue. Enjoy your few days away with your OH and pooch tda. Your latest trip sounds good nellie. I hope the weather improves for you.
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Thanks each. We move up into D&G tomorrow, so perhaps it won't be too windy and damp.
Another windy day with the odd squally shower again. Another walk along the coastal path then lunch, in the car, by Maryport Harbour entrance once again watching 5 guys, this time, kite surfing. It was a full tide the waves were crashing on the shore. One got out easily but only for a short run before returning to shore before the others eventually ventured out. They were have a great time when the first chap tried to join them but missed his board and his guy strings got entangled in seaweed!! What a mess, he was there on shore for ages trying to clear them while his buddies could not hear his calls for help and sailed off way up the coast. He was not a happy bunny!!
Lovely photos, Millie and WN, Glad that the weather is being kind to you all.
Have a good restful holiday, Goldie. Is it New England Bay again, or Englethwaite Hall this time?
Hope you manage to get the car clean before heading off ,Francis, and that you have a safe trip home R&R.
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Now I know why we moved back down south, living North of Aberdeen if it wasnt raining we had the Haar, even in summer it could ge pretty miserable weather wise, but loved the country.
Here in Hampshire it is a glorious morning and that onshore wind which we have had for several days seems to have abated for now so Solent very clear and calm for a change, not good for the kite boarders and wind surfers, they were out in force yesterday.
Daughter arrived from Spain yesterday, so we have been out for some early morning exercise, she runs i cycle, my running days are over, very pleasant along the front, i cycled 10 miles she ran 5 miles so not bad for early morning. Busy 2 weeks ahead catching up with family and friends, but all good, just hope the weather stays fair, not looking good for D&G NTH
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New England Bay - about this time last year we had to rush back home from there after one night. Family emergency (and no, I didn't bother asking for a refund - life's too short).
We're almost ready to set off - mustn't arrive before 1pm (reminder text)!
Just need to find anorher warm headband and scarf.
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